Rugby League 26 Dev Fires Back at Player Outcry
Likenesses, Gameplay Criticised; Studio Blames Tight Deadlines, Server Strain
Video game developer Big Ant Studios is defending its new Rugby League 26 title against a barrage of criticism from high-profile players and gamers alike, with issues ranging from player likenesses to gameplay glitches.
Players Slam Digital Avatars
Prominent figures such as Sydney Roosters prop Millie Elliott and State of Origin star Kennedy Cherrington have voiced strong dissatisfaction with their in-game representations. Gamers have also pointed to gameplay flaws and incorrect player positioning as major drawbacks.
The critiques extend to anomalies like retired players receiving inflated ratings and stadiums being misplaced in incorrect cities, creating a wave of negative feedback on social media.
Studio CEO Defends Likeness Scans
Big Ant Studios chief executive Ross Symons directly addressed the criticism regarding player likenesses. He highlighted the studio’s efforts to accurately capture players, stating that significant travel was undertaken for motion and facial scans.
“The ones that are talking should know better because, frankly, they’ve made statements that really are reasonably outrageous, because we have gone around the world, even to the north of England, just to scan women in game.”
—Ross Symons, CEO, Big Ant Studios
Symons emphasised the company’s commitment to women’s sports, noting that 80% of their sponsorship funding is allocated to this area. He asserted that players were informed about the necessity of attending capture sessions to ensure accurate digital representation.
“A number of them either for whatever reason chose or could not be at a shoot. They are the ones that don’t look like themselves.”
—Ross Symons, CEO, Big Ant Studios
The studio plans to conduct further scans during the upcoming NRLW Magic Round to address any remaining likeness concerns.
Server Overload Hits New Release
Cherrington described the game as “half-finished,” a sentiment echoed by numerous gamers reporting glitches. Symons attributed some of these issues to a compressed development timeline, forcing submission for disc printing two months before release.
He clarified that delaying the launch was not an option provided to the developers, and that online multiplayer problems were temporary, stemming from unexpected server demand that was six times higher than anticipated.
The game’s initial sales have reportedly outpaced major titles like Assassin’s Creed: Shadows and Death Stranding 2, making it the current best-seller.
Tax Incentive Fuels Australian Sports Games
The existence of Rugby League 26, a game for a sport popular in a limited number of countries, is significantly bolstered by Australia’s Digital Games Tax Offset (DGTO). This incentive, introduced in 2023, allows companies to reclaim 30% of qualified local expenditure.
Symons stated that this program enables the studio to undertake risks not otherwise feasible, especially for niche sports like AFL and NRL which lack broad international commercial appeal.
“The world would call the AFL, the same with NRL and to some extent cricket, a niche sport. It’s our lifeblood and we love it, but no one else wants to make these sports games. That’s where the DGTO really, really does help, it enables to tell Australian stories and in particular, Australian sport because I don’t think Australian sport gets a title if it’s not for things like the DGTO because it just becomes not commercially viable.”
—Ross Symons, CEO, Big Ant Studios
Big Ant Studios also develops popular AFL and cricket video games, underscoring the impact of the DGTO on preserving Australian sports narratives in digital entertainment. As of 2024, Australia’s digital games industry contributed an estimated AUD$2.7 billion to the economy, highlighting the sector’s growing significance (IBISWorld).